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(No Model.)

J. M. KELLY. FENCE WIRE TIGHTENBR.

No. 423,882. Patented Mar. 11, 189'0.v

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I I WITNESSES Z- V [Win/2 02 dliomzey UNITED STATES PATENT firs-ion.

JAMES M. KELLY, OF KINGSTON, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO HENRY I-IOLLENSBE, OF SAME PLACE. 3

FENCE-WIRE TIGHTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 423,882, dated March 11, 1890.

Application filed Decemberb, 1889. Serial No. 332,661. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES M. KELLY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kingston, in the county of Decatur and State of 5 Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fenceire Tighteners; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings,

to making a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in fence-wire tighteners; and it has for its object to provide an I 5 improved device of this character which shall be simple and cheap, yet efficient in operation and durable.

I provide a bracket with a box in the back thereof for the purpose of holding, the pawl in its place and preventing it from moving sidewise. A pivoted pawl pivoted in the center in said box makes it sure to catch in the notched roller or drum. My drum has but one notched flange, thus rendering it much easier to cast. i

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

The invention in the present instance resides in the peculiarities of construction and the combinations, arrangement, and adaptation of parts, all as more fully hereinafter described, shown. in the drawings, and then particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a side view of a portion of a fence the wires of which are provided with 0 my improved tightener. Fig. 2 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of one of the tighteners removed. Fig. 3 is a cross section through the line 00 w of Fig. 2. Fig.4: is a top plan of the bracket with the drum and pawl removed and the latter represented in its proper position by dotted lines.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to the detailsof the drawings by letter, A designates apost or upright, and B the fence-wires.

C represents my bracket formed with parallel portions or ears 0, having curved seats I) for the pintles of the drum or roller D,and with a curved cut-away portion a, serving as a passage-way and guide for the wire. This bracket is formed with suitable holes 01 for the reception of the screws, nails, or other means employed to secure it to the post.

Dis the drum or roller having pintles seated in the curved seats of the ears of the bracket, and one of them extended and squared or otherwise formed to receive a wrench or other tool by which it may be revolved when desired. This drum has formed thereon a flange or collar E, notched as shown at e, and the body of the d rum is provided with a passageway f for the reception and securing of the end of the wire, as seen clearly in Fig. 3. The base portion of the bracket is formed with a box F, open upon the top and one end, and this box is arranged upon that portion of the base beneath the notched flange of the drum, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

G is a pawl formed with a under side, as shown in Fig.

lug 9 upon its 1 5' This lug engages the end of the box and serves to keep in place the pawl, which moves thereon as on a pivot. The upper faceof the pawl is curved on lines conforming substantially to the curve So of the notched flange of the drum, and at one end is formed into a thumb-piece h and at the other end into a point *5, adapted toengage the notches of the flange or collar.

In practice the bracket is secured to the outer face of the post, and the end of the wire passed through an opening in the post and through the passageway f of the drum and secured in any suitable mannen When it is desired to tighten the wire, it is only neces- 9o sary to revolve the drum or roller, when the wire will be tightened and the pawl will automatically engage the notches of the flange of the drum and hold the same in its adjusted position. By simply pressingon the thumb- 5 piece of the pawl the same can be disengaged from the ratchet and the wire let out when necessary. The pivoted pawl, pivoted substantially at its center and arranged at the "back of the bracket, is sure to engage the teeth of the flange, and the box prevents side movement of the pawl.

Thedeviceis simple, durable, and in practice has'proved -very efficient.

I deem it important that the pawl be curved and that itspivot-point be substantially on a level with the center of the drum, instead of below the lower circumference of the same, as'heretofore. This renders the operation of the device much easier.

WVhat I claim as new is- The improved Wire-tightener consisting of the bracket formed with a box open at the top and one end, the drum provided with a notched flange, the said flange being arranged in line Wlth'ihfi box, and the pawl pivoted near its center in the saidbox with its pivot substantially on a level withthe center of the drum, and having its outer face formed upon a curve substantially like that of the flange, and formed with a thumb-piece substantially in linevwith the operating end, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES M. KELLY. Witnesses:

OLIVER F. DILLIOR, CHARLIE N. CONNELY. 

